Agenda Item

GNLRT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

5th JULY 2016

CYCLISTS ON CHILWELL ROAD / HIGH ROAD

1. SUMMARY OF ISSUES

1.1. Concerns have been expressed about the design of the highway layout on the approach to

Chilwell Road Tramstop, following a number of reported incidents involving cyclists that

occurred in the period after tram operations commenced. This report outlines the principles

used in arriving at the initial design, summarises the advice provided to cyclists to reduce

the risks involved in cycling along the tramway, and describes recent improvements that

have been made to assist cyclists when negotiating this section of the route.

2. RECOMMENDATION

2.1. It is RECOMMENDED that the Committee notes this report.

3. INITIAL DESIGN

3.1. In undertaking the design and implementation of the tram route, significant investment has

been made in cycling infrastructure to assist cyclists in travelling safely around the tramway

and to create new cycling opportunities, all of which have been developed in close

consultation with local cycle groups such as Pedals and road safety experts. Wherever

possible, alternative cycle routes, away from the tram tracks, have been provided and

clearly signed. Along the tramway, shared foot / cycle paths, designated track crossings

and additional road markings and signs, to help cyclists make the right manoeuvres, have

been provided. At tramstops, cycle stands and secure Citycard Cycle Hub parking, with

CCTV coverage, have been installed.

3.2. The design was developed in accordance with recognised guidance, including appropriate

highway design standards, with the layout developed in close consultation with the local

Highway Authority, who had independently considered and assessed the layout from the

cyclist’s perspective. Local cycle groups such as Pedals were also fully engaged. The

design development process included a full assessment of safety risks including the

interface between cyclists and the tram infrastructure.

3.3. In addition to the above, advice and safety information has been made available, via the

tram website, printed literature, news articles, school safety lessons and by use of an online

video, to help cyclists familiarise themselves with cycling along tram routes and to

understand the best way to travel around the tram network.

3.4. Along Chilwell Road / High Road, the restricted width available means that it has not been

possible to provide a separate segregated cycle path between Central College and Chilwell

Road Tramstop. Whilst the position of the tracks in the road allows sufficient space for

cyclists to ride safely on the carriageway, between the kerb and the inside tram rail, in

common with other on-street tramstops, this space reduces from the point where the

platform begins to splay out towards the tracks, eliminating the gap between the platform

and the tram for passengers who are boarding and alighting.

3.5. At this point, cyclists are given the opportunity to leave the carriageway and use a shared

cycle path / footpath that passes to the rear of the platform. This route was initially marked

with white lining on the carriageway, with contrasting paving to separate pedestrians from

cyclists, and with blue roundel signs on posts to signify the shared facility.

3.6. For those cyclists who are not comfortable with using the route along Chilwell Road, an

alternative route via West End and Robinet Road has been signed and is identified in the

‘Cycling the Chilwell Tram Route’ leaflet which has been made widely available.

4. REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENTS

4.1. Following two reported incidents involving cyclists that occurred on Chilwell Road in the

period following the commencement of full tram services, a thorough review of the

information provided to cyclists on the approach to the tramstop was undertaken by the

County Council as Highway Authority, the City Council, and the tram operator, in

consultation with local cycle groups. The review concluded that additional measures could

be taken to give greater prominence to the advised cycle route and, as a result, the

following modifications have been made:

• red surfacing and new white markings have been introduced to more clearly demarcate

the point at which cyclists are advised to leave the carriageway and also to re-join it.

• blue roundel signs have been painted on the shared cycleway / footway making it

clearer to cyclists that they are entitled to use this space

• pre-existing signage has been consolidated to remove obstructions and to improve

visibility

• temporary warning signs, making cyclists aware of the presence of the tracks and

advising them to take extra care, have been taken down and replaced by permanent

ones.

The current view for cyclists approaching the inbound tramstop platform can be seen at

Appendix A.

4.2. Further to the above, way-finding signs at the Cator Lane / Meadow Lane junction,

identifying the alternative route, have been improved and made clearer. The scheme has

also included enhancements to the signing and marking of the route to the rear of the

outbound tramstop, as well as outside the entrance to Central College, where the tram

tracks diverge away from the carriageway onto a segregated section of route.

4.3. In the longer term, it is hoped that a proposal to redevelop privately owned land on the

south side of Chilwell Road, will provide the opportunity to create a more direct, alternative

cycle route, avoiding the tracks, that immediately parallels the tramway.

Andy Holdstock

NET Project Office

Nottingham City Council

APPENDIX A

APPROACH TO CHILWELL ROAD TRAMSTOP, INBOUND

PHOTO 1

PHOTO 2

PHOTO 3

PHOTO 4